Shot my first USPSA match last Saturday. What a blast! I did very well with scoring hits, time was another issue. I have a lot of work to do with double taps and dumping mags and reloading. Being an "old guy" moving between targets may improve a little, but I am not looking to gain much here. My knees are still recovering from the "low window".

I shot Single Stack using my Sig () 1911. In a few months I plan on also shooting production with my M&P 9 Pro. Really looking forward to the next match.

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State of Jefferson
Jim

When I was younger and in better condition I used to shoot USPSA. I admit to becoming a little disenchanted with it, but it was definitely fun.

USPSA-style shooting is a great way to improve technical skills. Unless it has changed in the last few years, there is a still a tendency to program shooters to head into what is usually the wrong direction. I actually stopped shooting those matches because of that, and, because of other reasons, never got back into it. My loss. It is a good sport, but one must be careful what one learns from it.

You may also want to give IDPA a try. A little easier on us older fellas - although I'm still recovering from "taking a knee" twice during a classifier.

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NRA Benefactor Member

You have to take a knee during a Classifier!?

I just stared IDPA this year, got my membership and shot 4 matches or so. As I joined late in the year I could not line up with a classifier match. I am planning on doing it in the spring. Hope it isn't too much shooting from a knee, I only have one original one.

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MP 9 PRO, MP 9 FS, 9MM SHIELD

Only twice. Stage 3, string 2, move forward to the barrel, take a knee, fire 2 shots each target from either side of the barrel. Then the timer stops, and you can get up off the clock. Stage 3, string 3, start standing behind the barrel, take a knee, and again fire 2 shots each target from either side of the barrel.

However, the rules allow for NOT taking a knee if disabled:
7.1. Permanently physically disabled shooters who choose not to, or are unable to perform an action required by the CoF (kneeling, prone, etc.) will receive one (1) PE penalty per action not performed. If the shots cannot be taken safely or the targets cannot be acquired from their position of ability, they will receive one (1) additional PE penalty per target. No points down or FTNs will be assessed.

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Science plus Art

I have been unable to kneel for several years. When I shoot my IDPA classifiers I don't kneel, and take the penalty, as stated immediately above.

Thanks for the info guys. I have one that is still original but kneeling on my left knee doesn't always work depending on what side of th4e cover I am shooting from. I really hate to admit I am not 100%

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MP 9 PRO, MP 9 FS, 9MM SHIELD

Let me start by noting that while both knees are currently original equipment, replacements are closer than I would prefer.

Unfortunately, stages where kneeling is required are a standard part of IDPA. Every sanctioned match I have ever attended has at least one stage, usually more than one, that requires the shooter to take at least one knee. Most local matches seem to also have at least one stage requiring the shooter to take a knee. Therefore the kneeling portion of the classifier does represent a skill that every shooter will be required to use in a match.

This past summer, a local match included a stage that required the shooter to take a knee and then "pie" around the low cover in order to be able to engage all targets. The stage started with the shooter seated in a chair, after which the shooter need to move behind cover and engage the targets from the kneeling position. For me the movement while on my knees presented a real safety issue, so I engaged the first target from the chair and then took the 3 second penalty for the remaining 5 or 6 targets. My time was much better taking the penalty that what it would have been had I been forced to complete the stage from my knees. Some shooters on the squad were frustrated that I got a better score by taking the penalty, while I was frustrated by being deprived of the opportunity to shoot the majority of the stage. Personally, I would like to see IDPA mandate that all stages requiring the shooter to take a knee, also offer the shooter a second option to complete the course of fire from a non-kneeling position. If I ever found myself in a real life self defense situation, taking a knee would be an absolute last option. In fact, I would probably be better off exposing myself to the bad guys rather than handicapping myself by taking a knee (or two) in order to take advantage of available low cover. USPSA forces the same type situations when they require the shooter to engage a target through a low port, or under a barricade. For us old guys steel challenge and ICORE offer the best chance to be competitive.

I still enjoy competing, but have come to grips with not being truly competitive due to physical limitations, so all I can say is go out and have fun.

Thanks for the input Flyer Fan.

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MP 9 PRO, MP 9 FS, 9MM SHIELD